Antares is Heart of the Scorpion | Brightest Stars | EarthSky Antares is Heart of the Scorpion By Larry Sessions in Brightest Stars | July 2, 2016 Bright reddish Antares is easy to spot on a summer night. It is the brightest star in the fishhook-shaped constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. Red Antares, via Fred Espenak at AstroPixels . Used with permission. Bright reddish Antares – also known as Alpha Scorpii – is easy to spot on a summer night. It is the brightest star – and distinctly reddish in color – in the fishhook-shaped pattern of stars known as the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. Follow the links below to learn more about this wonderful star. Antares in history and myth In 2016, the planets Mars and Saturn make a noticeable triangle with the star Antares, as seen from around the globe. Scorpius is one of the few constellations that looks like its namesake. The bright red star Antares marks the Scorpion’s Heart. Notice also the two stars at the tip of the Scorpion’s Tail. They are known as The Stinger. How to see Antares.

If you look southward in early evening from late spring to early fall, you’re likely to notice the fishhook pattern of Scorpius the Scorpion, with ruby Antares at its heart. If you think you’ve found Antares, aim binoculars in its direction. You should notice its reddish color. And you should see a little star cluster – known as M4 – just to the right of this star. (See images above) Antares is the 16th brightest star in the sky, and it is located in the southern half of Earth’s sky. So your chance of seeing this star on any given night increases as you go farther southward on Earth’s globe. If you traveled to the southern hemisphere – from about 67 degrees south latitude – you’d find that Antares is circumpolar, meaning that it never sets and is visible every night of the year from Earth’s southernmost regions. We in the northern hemisphere know Antares better than several other southern stars that are brighter. That’s because Antares is visible from throughout most of the northern hemisphere, short of the Arctic.

Well, not quite the Arctic, but anywhere south of 63 degrees north latitude can – at one time or another – see Antares. (Helsinki yes, Fairbanks, no) The midnight culmination of Antares is on or near June 1. That is when Antares is highest in the sky at midnight (midway between sunset and sunrise). It is highest in the sky at about dawn in early March and at about sunset in early September. If Antares replaced the sun in our solar system, its orbit would extend beyond the orbit of the fourth planet, Mars. Here, Antares is shown in contrast to another star, Arcturus, and our sun. Image via Wikimedia Commons. Antares science. Antares is truly an enormous star, with a radius in excess of 3 Astronomical Units (AU). One AU is the Earth’s average distance from the sun. If by some bit of magic Antares was suddenly substituted for our sun, the surface of the star would extend well past the orbit of Mars! Antares is classified as an M1 supergiant star. The M1 designation says that Antares is reddish in color and cooler than many other stars.

Its surface temperature of 3500 kelvins (about 5800 degrees F.) is in contrast to about 10,000 degrees F. for our sun. Even though Antares’ surface temperature is relatively low, Antares’ tremendous surface area – the surface from which light can escape – makes this star very bright. In fact, Antares approaches 11,000 times the brilliance of our puny sun, a G2 star. But that is just in visible light. When all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is considered, Antares pumps out more than 60,000 times the energy of our sun! Red Antares is similar to but somewhat larger than another famous red star, Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion. Yet Betelgeuse appears slightly brighter than Antares in our sky. Hipparcos satellite data places Antares at about 604 light-years away, in contrast to Betelgeuse’s distance of 428 light-years, explaining why the larger star appears fainter from Earth. Like all M-type giants and supergiants, Antares is close to the end of its lifetime.

Someday soon (astronomically speaking), it will effectively run out of fuel and collapse. The resulting infall of its enormous mass – some 15-18 times the mass of our sun – will cause an immense supernova explosion, ultimately leaving a tiny neutron star or possibly a black hole. This explosion, which could be tomorrow or millions of years from now, will be spectacular as seen from Earth, but we are far enough away that there likely is no danger to our planet. Scorpius, via Constellation of Words Antares in history and myth. Both the Arabic and Latin names for the star Antares mean “heart of the Scorpion.” If you see this constellation in the sky, you’ll find that Antares does indeed seem to reside at the Scorpion’s heart. Antares is Greek for “like Mars” or “rivaling Mars.” Antares is sometimes said to be the “anti-Mars.” All of this rivalry (or equivalency … for what is rivalry, after all?) stems from the colors of Mars and Antares. Both are red in color, and, for a few months every couple of years Mars is much brighter than Antares.

Most of the time, though, Mars is near the same brightness or much fainter than Antares. Every couple of years, Mars passes near Antares, which was perhaps seen as taunting the star, as Mars moves rapidly through the heavens and Antares, like all stars, seems fixed to the starry firmament. As is typical, more mythology attends the full constellation of Scorpius than the star Antares. Perhaps the most well known story of Scorpius is that the Earth goddess, Gaia, sent him to sting arrogant Orion, who had claimed his intent to kill all animals on the planet. Scorpius killed Orion, and both were placed in the sky, although in opposite sides of the heavens, positioned as if to show the Scorpion chasing the Mighty Hunter. Interestingly, Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion is similar in appearance to Antares, although brighter. Betelgeuse is not as associated with Mars as is Antares. Although the planet passes in the vicinity of Betelgeuse every couple of years, it never gets as close as it does to Antares.

In Polynesia, Scorpius is often seen as a fishhook, with some stories describing it as the magic fishhook used by the demigod Maui to pull up land from the ocean floor that became the Hawaiian islands. According to the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy website, the Hawaiian name for Antares, Lehua-kona, seems to have little to do with the constellation. It means “southern lehua blossom.” Antares’ position is RA:16h 29m 24s, dec: -26° 25′ 55″. The red star Antares, lower left, near the prominent star cluster M4, right. Image via Dick Locke Scorpius Constellation - Facts About Scorpius | Solarsystemquick.com Scorpius Constellation Scorpius has many bright stars but is only briefly visible in the northern hemisphere. Scorpius Constellation Facts Scorpius is a large and bright constellation which is mainly visible in the southern hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere the constellation can be seen in July and August. In the Southern hemisphere Scorpius can be viewed from March to October.

In the Southern hemisphere Scorpius lies within the center of the Milky Way, appearing as a faint band stretching across the sky. At the heart of Scorpius is Antares, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Antares along with many of the other bright stars in the constellation belongs to a group known as the Scorpius-Centaurus Association. Stars in this association formed around the same time and from the same region of a dark nebula cloud. Scorpius is Latin for scorpion. The astrological sign 'Scorpio' is based on the constellation of Scorpius. The constellation was known to the ancient Babylonians 3,000 years ago. Scorpius Mythology Scorpius represents a scorpion that was placed amongst the stars. In Greek mythology Scorpius represents a scorpion that was sent into the heavens after being killed by the great hunter Orion. The scorpion was sent to destroy Orion by Gaia the Goddess of Earth after the great hunter grew arrogant of his powers. Following the scorpion’s placement amongst the stars another myth grew involving Phaeton, the mortal son of the Sun God Helios.

Each day Helios rode his sun chariot around the Earth bringing light and warmth to the world. One day Helios allowed Phaeton to drive the chariot with disastrous consequences. Phaeton drove the chariot too high which froze the Earth. As he rose higher in the sky he neared Scorpius, the creature reacted by raising its sting, noticing that the scorpion was about to attack Phaeton steered the chariot back towards Earth. Unfortunately he got too close and as a result set fire to the land, turning parts of the Earth into desert. Main Stars in the Scorpius Constellation The number next to each star is its apparent magnitude, its brightness from our point of view on Earth, the lower the number the brighter the star in the night sky. Graffias Graffias is actually a multiple star system consisting of six stars, the system is composed of two parts known as Beta1 and Beta2, each part consists of three stars although the entire system is collectively known as Beta Scorpii.

Dschubba Also known as Delta Scorpii, Dschubba is a multiple star system consisting of three and possibly four stars, the primary star is a blue giant around 15 times more massive than the sun. Alniyat Also known as Sigma Scorpii, (Alniyat is also the traditional name given to Tau Scorpii, the star directly below Antares in the image above), Alniyat is a four star system around 700 light years from Earth, the primary star is a blue giant around 13 times larger in diameter than the sun. Antares Also known as Alpha Scorpii, Antares is a two star system 550 light years from Earth, it is the brightest star in the constellation and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, the primary star is a red supergiant 850 times larger in diameter than the sun. Sargas Also known as Theta Scorpii, Sargas is a white giant 300 light years from Earth with a radius around 25 times larger than the sun.

Lesath Also known as Upsilon Scorpii, Lesath is a blue subgiant around 600 light years from Earth with surface temperatures around 4 times hotter than the sun. Shaula Also known as Lambda Scorpii, Shaula is a three star system around 700 light years from Earth and the second brightest star in the constellation, due to its proximity to Lesath in the night sky the bright pair have earned the nickname "Cat's Eyes". Finding Scorpius - Northern Hemisphere The chart shows the position of Scorpius over most of the United States in July at 10pm. This chart can also be applied to other areas of the Northern hemisphere such as Canada, the UK and Europe. In order to view Scorpius you will need a clear view of the southern horizon. In July and August the constellation will be visible low in the southern night sky between the hours of 10pm and midnight. Finding Scorpius - Southern Hemisphere The chart shows the position of Scorpius over most of Australia in August at 7pm. This chart can also be applied to other areas of the Southern hemisphere such as New Zealand, South Africa and South America.

In March and April Scorpius will appear in the south-eastern sky around 11pm, heading higher in the sky over the next few hours until reaching overhead by around 4am. In May and June the constellation will be visible in the south-eastern sky at around 7pm, reaching overhead by around midnight before it starts heading down towards the south-western horizon. In July and August it will appear high in the eastern sky at around 7pm, reaching overhead in the next couple of hours before disappearing below the south-western horizon by around 2am. In September and October Scorpius will appear high in the western night sky at around 8pm, dipping below the south-western horizon over the next few hours. Share this page Antares in the Constellation Scorpius – One Minute Astronomer The Heart of the Scorpion June 23, 2010 by Brian Ventrudo At star parties this time of year, I’m often asked about the bright, flickering, red star rising over the southeastern horizon after sunset: “Is that Mars”? No, not Mars.

It’s the dazzling red supergiant Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius and one of the brightest stars embedded in the sweeping arc of the Milky Way. It’s beautiful from the northern hemisphere, and even more dazzling from the south, where it lies almost directly overhead for the next month or two. The ancient Greeks, too, thought this star resembled Mars, and named it ant-Ares, Greek for “compared to Ares” (Ares was the Greek name for Mars, the god of war). Like all red supergiants, Antares will soon run out of fuel in its core. It’s burned hydrogen, then helium, then carbon, and neon, and magnesium, into heavier elements like iron. But it can go no further: fusing iron into heavier elements creates no energy. So when the fuel finally runs out, Antares will collapse and detonate as a supernova, the biggest explosion known in the universe. From our sky, it will shine bright enough to cast shadows in the dead of night for many weeks. And this could happen anytime, though forecasting supernovae is less exact than forecasting earthquakes.

Astronomers believe Antares could explode in a week from now, perhaps, or in a century, or in a million years. But whenever it goes, it will be quite a show. And no, it will pose no danger to Earth. The comparative size of the star Antares, which the Romans called Cor Scorpii (the Heart of the Scorpion). Since its days as a hot, blue main sequence star, Antares has swelled to immense size. Though it’s nearly 600 light years away, the star subtends an angle of 0.04 arc-seconds… large enough for astronomers to measure directly. Simple trigonometry suggests Antares spans some 820x the radius of our sun. Were it at the center of our solar system, Antares would engulf the inner planets, including Earth and Mars, and stretch almost to the orbit of Jupiter. This image above gives some idea of Antares’ size relative to other well-known giant stars, and to our own modest home star. Antares, which is slightly variable like many end-stage stars, is listed as the 15th or 16th brightest star in the sky at visual wavelengths.

It’s visual magnitude is +0.96. Intrinsically, it’s about 10,000x as bright as our Sun, and some 60,000x brighter if infrared wavelengths are included. Antares also presents a good challenge for backyard stargazers with a telescope. The star has a companion, a blue-giant star called Antares B, that’s nearly 3 arc-seconds away from the reddish Antares A, but some 370x fainter. Seeing the fainter star is not easy… it’s like trying to look for a firefly in the glow of a bright streetlight. Still, it’s worth a try. You’ll need a good 8-10″ scope to separate the two stars, and a magnification of perhaps 200x. Occasionally, when the Moon passes in front of Antares, bright Antares A is blocked for a brief time, making it easy to spot Antares B, even with a good 3″ scope. Many observers say the fainter star looks greenish compared to its brighter red companion. Have you seen the pair?

Let us know what it looked like to you… Transit Date of principal star: 29 May As mentioned regarding Orion, Gaia may have sent the scorpion to kill the mighty hunter, as he had vowed to rid the earth of all wild animals. Or Apollo might have told Gaia of Orion's boast, fearful that Orion had designs on Apollo's sister Artemis. In any case it was Gaia who sent the scorpion to kill Orion. Later the animal would chase Orion across the heavens, but it could never catch him, for the scorpion was so placed that it would rise in the east only after Orion had safely disappeared over the western horizon. Scorpius is one of the oldest constellations known - possibly even one of the original six signs of the zodiac. While the sun still traverses Scorpius, it only takes nine days to do so; most of the time is spent in neighbouring Ophiuchus (which is the only constellation that the sun enters but which is not a part of the zodiac). The asterism of a gigantic skewed "S" was seen in many ancient cultures as a scorpion, possibly handed down by cultural conquest or influence.

The two stars lambda and upsilon, both called "The Sting" in Arabic, traditionally form the stinger, although some star maps currently show the nearby "G Scorpii" as one of the stingers. We have recently changed our graphic to reflect the original stingers. The constellation was once much larger, but the western portion representing the claws of the scorpion was given to Libra. The star table indicates just how bright many of Scorpius's stars are; in fact the constellation is one of the brightest of the larger constellations. Alpha Scorpii is better known as Antares ("Rival of Mars"). This is one of the four Royal Stars of the ancients, along with Aldebaran, Regulus, and Fomalhaut. It glitters with an unusual metallic red while the entire region is bathed in a pale red nebula, lit from the same star. This red supergiant has a visual binary that just might be visible, depending on local conditions and the size of one's scope (see below). The star is estimated to be between 285 sun diameters to about 700 suns. It's 600 light years away.

Due west 1� (about half the distance to sigma Sco) is the bright globular cluster M4, while another globular cluster, M80, is 4� NNW of Antares. See below for these deep sky objects. Double stars in Scorpius: [NOTE: See the Binocular Section link at the bottom for updated values.] Alpha Scorpii is a visual binary which may be difficult to resolve due to the brightness of the primary. Try a moonlight night, which should cut the glare of the brighter star: 1.1, 5.4; PA 274�, separation 2.6". The companion is usually described as green in colour, probably a visual effect created by the red glow of Antares. The star is estimated to orbit its primary every 900 years. Beta Scorpii. This superb double has a pleasant colour contrast: white and bluish-green. 2.6, 4.9; PA 23�, 13.7". Nu Scorpii is a multiple system, a "double-double". That is, each of the visible components (AC) is also a primary of a closer component; these are termed AB and CD.

AC: 4.4, 6.4; 337�, and 41" separation. AB: 4.4, 5.4; PA 2�, 1.3". CD: 6.3, 8.0; 51�, 2.3". Xi Scorpii is also a multiple system, a system which also includes the next binary system as well (Struve 1999). Components AB form a close binary with period of 45.7 years. The companion is now gradually drawing away from the primary: PA 308� and separation 0.39". Sigma Scorpii: a double with faint companion. AB: 2.9, 8.5; PA 273�, separation 20". Struve 1999 is gravitationally attached to the Xi Scorpii system, although at a distance of about 7000 AU (an "AU"--astronomical unit-- being the distance of the earth from the sun).

The binary is found just south of Xi Scorpii, two yellow stars of nearly equal brightness: 7.4, 8.1; 99�, 11.6". Variable stars in Scorpius: RR Scorpii is the brightest long-period variable in the constellation, with a visual magnitude range of 5.0-12.4 every 281.45 days. In 1999 the maximum should occur around the end of May. Deep Sky Objects in Scorpius: There are four Messier objects in Scorpius (some authorities put a fifth in the constellation as well: M62, but usually it is listed in Ophiuchus). M4 (NGC 6121) is a rather near globular cluster (6000-10,000 light years) but without a large telescope it will not appear very spectacular. There may be as many as fifty RR Lyrae variables in the cluster. M4 is located just west of Antares, roughly half way to sigma Scorpii. M6 (NGC 6405) is the second-best cluster of the constellation (after M7).

This is an open cluster which sometimes bears the name "The Butterfly Cluster". Its brightest star is BM Scorpii, a sixth-magnitude yellow giant. The cluster is about 1500-2000 light years away. M7 (NGC 6475) has no name, but is clearly the best deep sky object of the constellation. This magnificent open cluster is extremely large (two full-moon diameters) and quite bright, being visible even to the naked eye under the right conditions. A scope easily resolves the stars, the brightest twenty-two of which range from 5.6 to 9.0. There are several close visual binaries in the cluster. (See Burnham for these, as well as extensive notes on this cluster.) M7 is 4� NNE of lambda Scorpii. It's about 800 light years away. M80 (NGC 6093) is a rather faint, very compact, globular cluster in the vicinity of Antares, between this star and beta Scorpii, and more narrowly speaking, nearly midpoint between two 8th-magnitude stars (which are the brightest stars of the region).

The cluster is quite distant, some 36,000 light years away, and it takes a very large telescope to study it in detail. NGC 6231 is a naked-eye open cluster one half degree north of zeta Scorpii (which is in fact a member of the group). This cluster is certainly worthy of being a Messier; while noticeable to the naked eye, binoculars resolve its various members. It's about 5500-6000 light years from us. The stars that make up the cluster are generally supergiants that resemble the Pleiades in miniature. Burnham points out that if this cluster were the same distance as the Pleiades, its stars would outshine the Pleiades "by a factor of about 50 times". The cluster is only part of a much larger, very scattered, cluster called H 12, which is found one degree north. In fact, the stars seen as joining NGC 6231 and H 12 actually form one of the spiral arms of our own galaxy. For a more detailed appreciation of Scorpius visit the Binocular Section.

Return to the previous page: Or go to All files associated with The Constellations Web Page are © Richard Dibon-Smith. Antares is really the brightest and not Mars or Saturn FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Antares is really the brightest and not Mars or Saturn Mars, the “Red Planet,” has been in the news a fair amount lately, largely because of the relatively close approach to Earth that it is presently making. Post to Facebook Antares is really the brightest and not Mars or Saturn Mars, the “Red Planet,” has been in the news a fair amount lately, largely because of the relatively close approach to Earth that it is presently making. Check out this story on AlamogordoNews.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the Conversation Antares is really the brightest and not Mars or Saturn Alan Hale, For the Daily News 5:50 p.m. MT June 2, 2016 Alan Hale 1 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENTEMAILMORE Mars, the red planet, has been in the news a fair amount lately, largely because of the relatively close approach to Earth that it is presently making.

It currently shines brightly in our southern skies throughout the nighttime hours, somewhat to the west of the head of the prominent constellation Scorpius. Nearby to the east is the ringed planet, Saturn, which also shines somewhat brightly,although not nearly as much as Mars. The red planet was at opposition, i.e., directly opposite the sun in the sky, on May 22, and Saturn was at opposition Thursday, June 2. Somewhat lost in all the attention that the two planets are currently receiving is another bright object in the same part of the sky. This is Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, usually taken to represent the scorpion’s heart and currently located almost directly south of Saturn. Its name comes from the Greek, rival of Ares, Ares being the Greek name for Mars, and arises due to its reddish coloration, similar to that of Mars. Quite often, Antares is as bright as, or even brighter than, Mars, but for the time being it makes a rather poor rival.

Antares’ brightness and coloration come from the fact that it is a red giant star, with the reddish coloration being due to the fact that its surface temperature is rather cool as far as stars go, about 5,700 degrees F. The giant part comes from the fact that what we are seeing is its extended outer atmosphere, which represents a phase that all stars, including our sun, go through as they near the end of their respective lifetimes. As red giants go, Antares is one of the largest ones that we know about. An exact determination of its size is hard to make, in part because at the edges the atmosphere becomes so thin that it is difficult to tell where the star ends and space begins, but the best estimates nowadays suggest that Antares is some 880 times the diameter of our sun. If Antares were to take the place of our sun, Earth would be inside it, and so would Mars; Antares’ atmosphere would extend almost 80 percent of the way to Jupiter’s orbit. As large as Antares is, it is not the largest star that we know of.

Betelgeuse, in the constellation of Orion – which is a prominent constellation in the wintertime but which is currently hidden behind the sun – is about 1,000 times as big across as our sun, although because its size varies it can sometimes be as large as 1,200 times our sun’s diameter. On such occasions, if Betelgeuse were to take the place of our sun, Jupiter would be orbiting inside it. The largest star that is readily visible to the unaided eye is the star known as Mu Cephei, located in the constellation of Cepheus, the Ethiopian king from Greek mythology, which is currently visible in our northeastern sky during the mid- to late evening hours. Known as Herschel’s Garnet Star due to its deep reddish coloration to which was called attention by the 18th century British astronomer William Herschel, Mu Cephei is some 1260 times the diameter of the sun. Jupiter’s orbit would easily fit inside it were it to take the place of our sun.

There are several other stars that are known to be even larger than this, although these are quite a bit farther away and thus despite their large size and too dim to be visible to the unaided eye. What appears to be the largest star that is currently known is an object known as UY Scuti within the constellation Scutum, the shield, to the north-northeast of the teapot-shaped constellation of Sagittarius. While there is some uncertainty as to this star’s actual size, the best estimates suggest that it is some 1,700 times the size of our sun; if it were to take the place of our sun it would extend out to half-way between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. While the stars mentioned above are among the largest known stars according to physical dimensions, they are not necessarily the largest known stars according to mass. UY Scuti seems to be only about ten times as massive as our sun, although it has probably lost close to half of its original mass over the course of its lifetime. Antares and Betelgeuse, despite being smaller in physical terms than UY Scuti, both appear to be somewhat more massive than that star.

The most massive star currently known is an object known as R136a1, a star located within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way visible primarily from the southern hemisphere. While, again, there is some uncertaintly involved in the measurements, the best estimates at this time indicate that R136a1 is some 315 times as massive as our sun. Unlike the stars mentioned above, however, R136a1 is not a red giant, and at most it appears to be only about 30 times the diameter of our sun. All of the stars mentioned here will eventually explode as supernovae. When that happens, what is left of most of these stars will collapse into something known as a neutron star, an extremely dense and tiny object no more than a few miles in diameter. R136a1, meanwhile, will likely collapse into something even smaller, a black hole. The largest stars thus, in time, are reduced to the smaller stars that exist. Alan Hale is a professional astronomer who resides in Cloudcroft. Hale is involved in various space-related research and educational activities throughout New Mexico and elsewhere.

His website is 1 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: Antares The history of the star: Antares from p.364 of Star Names , Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889. [A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage ] Alpha (α) Scorpius , Antares, is a red binary star, fiery red and emerald green, near the center of the constellation Scorpius and was sometimes called "the Heart of the Scorpion". Antares, the well-nigh universal title for this splendid star, is transcribed from the second-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy's (Greek) Antares in the Syntaxis, and generally thought to be from {p.365} anti Ares, "similar to," or the "rival of," Mars, in reference to its color, — the Latin Tetrabiblos had Marti comparatur; or, in the Homeric signification of the words, the "equivalent of Mars," either from the color-resemblance of the star to the latter, or because the astrologers considered the Scorpion the House of that planet and that god its guardian.

Thus it naturally followed the character of its constellation,— perhaps originated it,— and was always associated with eminence and activity in mankind. Dutch scholar Grotius (1583-1645), however, said that the word Antares signifies a Bat, which, as Vespertilio, Greek tragic poet Sophocles (496?-406 B.C.) perhaps called it; but the 17th century German astronomer Bayer erroneously quoted from Hesychios (5th century. AD.) (Greek) Antartes, a Rebel, and Tyrannus. The 17th century Dutch astronomer Caesius appropriately styled the constellation Insidiata, the Lurking One. Others say that it was Antar's Star,— but they forget the second-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy,—the celebrated Antar or Antarah [ Antarah ] who, just previous to the time of Muhammad, was the mulatto warrior-hero of one of the Golden Mu'allakat. [ Muallaqat .

Allen notes: These were the famous seven selected poems of Arabia, said to have been inscribed in letters of gold on silk, or Egyptian linen, and suspended, as their title signifies, in the Kabah at Mecca.] Our word, however, is sometimes written Antar, which Beigel said is the Arabic equivalent of "Shone"; but the Latin translator of the 1515 Almagest connected it with Natar, Rapine, and so possibly explaining the generally unintelligible expression tendit ad rapinam applied to Antares in that work and in the Alfonsine Tables of 1521; or the expression here may refer to the character of Ares, the god of war.

The Rudolphine Tables designated it as rutilans, Pliny's (23-79 A.D.) word for "glowing redly." The Arabians' Kalb al Akrab, the Scorpion's Heart, which probably preceded the Kardia Skorpion and Cor Scorpii of Greece and Rome respectively, became, in early English and Continental lists, Kelbalacrab, Calbalacrab, Calbolacrabi, Calbalatrab, and Cabalatrab; the Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598-1671) having the unique Alcantub, although he generally wrote Kalb Aakrab. This star Antares (α Scorpius ) alone constituted the 16th manzil (Arabic Moon Mansion), Al Kalb, the Heart, one of the fortunate stations. But the Chinese included sigma (σ) and tau (τ), on either side of Antares, for their sieu ( Chinese Moon Mansion ), the synonymous Sin, anciently Sam, sigma (σ) being the determinant; although Brown says that this Heart refers to that of Tsing Lung, the Azure Dragon, one of the four great divisions of their zodiac.

They also have a record of a comet 531 B.C., "to the left of Ta Shin," which last Williams identified with Antares; while, as the Fire Star, Who Sing, it seems to have been invoked in worship centuries before our era for protection against fire. With some adjacent it was one of the Ming t'ang, or Emperor's Council-hall; his sons and courtiers, other stars, standing close by, to whom Antares, as Ta Who, announced the principles of his government. { p.366 } The Hindus used alpha (α Antares), sigma (σ), and tau (τ) for their nakshatra ( Hindu Moon Mansion ) Jyestha, Oldest, also known as Rohini, Ruddy, from the color of Antares, — Indra, the sky-goddess, being regent of the asterism that was figured as a pendent Ear Jewel.

It was one of the four Royal Stars of Persia, 3000 B.C., and probably the Guardian of the Heavens that Dupuis mentioned as Satevis; but, as their lunar asterism, it was Gel, the Red; the Sogdians (an Iranian people) changing this to Maghan sadwis, the Great One saffron-colored. The Khorasmians (east of Persia) called it Dharind, the Seizer; and the Copts (who are now the Christians in Egypt), Kharthian, the Heart. It pointed out to the Babylonians their 24th ecliptic constellation, Hurru, of uncertain meaning, itself being Urbat according to an astrolabe discovered in the palace of Sennacherib and interpreted by the late George Smith; Brown, however, assigns this title to stars in Lupus ( Lupus adjoins Scorpius ).

Other Euphratean names were Bilu-sha-ziri, the Lord of the Seed; Kak-shisa, the Creator of Prosperity, according to German Orientalist Peter Jensen (1861-1936), although this is generally ascribed to Sirius ; and, in the lunar zodiac, Dar Lugal, the King, identified with the god of lightning, Lugal Tudda, the Lusty King. Naturally the inscriptions make much of it in connection with the planet Mars, their UI Suru, showing that its Arean association evidently had very early origin; and from them we read Masu (?) Sar, the Hero and the King, and Kakkab Bir, the Vermilion Star. Brown identifies it with the seventh antediluvian king, (the Greek word) Euedoranchos, or Udda-an-χu, the Day-heaven-bird.

In Egyptian astronomy it represented the goddess Selkit, Selk-t, or Serk-t, heralding the sunrise through her temples at the autumnal equinox about 3700-3500 B.C., and was the symbol of Isis in the pyramid ceremonials (Isis, perhaps the Moon, is identified with a number of stars). Renouf included it with Arcturus in the immense figure Menat . [ Star Names , Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889]. This is one of the four key stars in the heavens, also called archangel stars. Michael ( Aldebaran ) watcher of the East. Gabriel ( Fomalhaut ) watcher of the South. Raphael ( Regulus ) Watcher of the North. Oriel (Antares) Watcher of the West. At one time they marked the two Equinoxes and two Solstices. Aldebaran marked the zero Aries point in 3044 BC, Antares marked zero Libra 3052 BC, Fomalhaut marked zero Capricorn, 2582 BC, Regulus marked zero Cancer 2345 BC.

As one of the four Royal stars of Persia its name was Satevis; but, as their lunar asterism, it was Gel, the "Red" the Sogdians changing this to Maghan sadwis, the "Great One" saffron-colored. [The angel associations come from Eric Morse, The Living Stars , p.35. Allen's explanation of these four stars on page 256 of Star Names] These four stars have been characterized as Horses, reflected both in the famed Four Horsemen of Apocalypse (Revelations 6) and Chariot Horses in the Book of Zechariah. [Dr Eric Morse, The Living Stars , p.56.] Antares as Antar's Star, Antarah or Ántara Allen ( Star Names , p.365) says "Others say that Antares was Antar's Star, and referring to the celebrated Arabic hero Antar, or Antarah". This refers to Ántara who portrays the "Heart of the Scorpion" as in the Manilius' representation of the Scorpion character.

"By virtue of its tail armed with its powerful sting, the Scorpion creates natures ardent for war and active service, which rejoices in plenteous bloodshed and in carnage more than in plunder". The hero Ántara lived just previous to the time of Muhammad; he died 615 AD at age 90; and was the mulatto warrior-hero of one of the Golden Mu'allakat. Son of an African slave woman and an Arab sheikh, Ántara was the bravest warrior of all of the Arabs. As a lowly slave himself he was spurred to greatness by love for his noble cousin 'Abla. He had his chance when the fortunes of war turned against the tribe. With the enemy closing in on their encampment, his father called him to battle. He followed the call and soon proved himself the most valiant warrior in Arabia. In doing so he held his family to the ancient rule that only a free man with full rights may join in battle. The rule freed him of the taint of slavery and entitled him to marry his beloved.

He was a poet of the first rank; his most eloquent poem can be seen on this website page ; "Ántara's Ode," where he tells 'Abla and the world of his love for her and of the victories that made him worthy of her hand. The Lunar Mansions Antares (α Scorpius ) alone constituted the 16th manzil, Arabic Moon Mansion, Al Kalb, the Heart, one of the fortunate stations. Influences the 16th Arabic Moon Mansion Al Kalb: Causes discord, sedition, conspiracy against princes and rulers, and revenge from enemies, but frees captives and helps building. With Moon transiting here: sow seeds, travel and go to war. [Robson * , p.73.] The Hindus used alpha (α Antares), sigma (σ), and tau (τ) for their 16th nakshatra ( Hindu Moon Mansion ) Jyestha, Oldest, also known as Rohini, Ruddy, from the color of Antares, — Indra, the sky-goddess, being regent of the asterism that was figured as a pendent Ear Jewel.

Influences of the 16th Hindu Moon Mansion Jyestha: Ruled by Mercury. A sharp asterism belonging to the serving caste and favorable for punishment, torture, imprisonment, exorcism, mesmerism and separation or union when containing the Moon. Those born on the lunar day will be valiant, wealthy, famous, well born, somewhat dishonest, fond of travelling and in a high position. With Moon here at birth native will be cheerful, irascible, charitable, but will have few friends. Rules deserts and the right side of the body. [Robson * , p.82.] The astrological influences of the constellation Scorpius Ptolemy makes the following observations: "The bright stars in the front of the body of Scorpio have an effect similar to that produced by the influence of Mars, and partly to that produced by Saturn: the three in the body itself . . .

are similar to Mars and moderately to Jupiter: those in the joints of the tail are like Saturn and partly like Venus: those in the sting, like Mercury and Mars." By the Kabalists Scorpio is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump "The Lightning-Struck Tower." [Robson * , p.60-61.] The astrological influences of the constellation Scorpius given by Manilius: "The Scorpion presides over arms" [Manilius, Astronomica , 1st century AD, book 4, p.253] "By virtue of his tail armed with its powerful sting, wherewith, when conducting the Sun's chariot through his sign, he cleaves the soil and sows seed in the furrow, the Scorpion creates natures ardent for war and active service, and a spirit which rejoices in plenteous bloodshed and in carnage more than in plunder.

Why, these men spend even peace under arms; they fill the glades and scour the woods; they wage fierce warfare now against man, now against beast, and now they sell their persons to provide the spectacle of death and to perish in the arena, when, warfare in abeyance, they each find themselves foes to attack. There are those, too, who enjoy mock-fights and jousts in arms (such is their love of fighting) and devote their leisure to the study of war and every pursuit which arises from the art of war." [Manilius, Astronomica , 1st century AD, p.239-240]. The astrological influences of the star Antares According to Ptolemy it is of the nature of Mars and Jupiter. Alvidas gives Jupiter sextile Venus, but this is unlikely considering the decidedly martial and malefic nature of the star. It causes malevolence, destructiveness, liberality, broad-mindedness, evil presages and danger of fatality and makes its natives rash, ravenous, headstrong and destructive to themselves by their own obstinacy.

[Robson * , 136.] A Mars nature, in which the powers of Mercury and Jupiter and Saturn are also added. Antares makes people tough, belligerent and pugnacious. This is an important star for military personnel and is said to convey mental alertness, strategic ability and courage and to make dare-devils, especially if tied up with the MC, Ascendant, Sun or Jupiter. If associated with Mars, courage is said to become foolhardiness, leading to increased dangers. Natives with this particular configuration have to be prepared at all times for sudden incidents, unforeseen events and potential accidents. According to tradition, Antares is of violent character and is credited with being significant for a violent death, either in battle or by process of law. On the other hand, danger may come about by fire, weapons or machinery. Antares is also said to be unfortunate for the eyes, if in conjunction with the Ascendant, Moon or Sun and this has proven to be the case by later researchers. [ Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation , Elsbeth Ebertin, 1928, p.70-71.] If Rising: Riches and honor, violence, sickness, benefits seldom last.

[Robson * , p.137.] If culminating: Honor, preferment and good fortune. [Robson * , p.137.] With Fortuna or its dispositor, poverty. [Robson * , p.137.] With Sun: Pretended religion, insincere, honor and riches ending in disgrace and ruin, military preferment, danger of treachery, violence committed or suffered, fevers and sickness, injuries to the right eye, violent death. If rising or culminating, great honor through violence attended by difficulties and casualties. If with Mars also, pestilential disease. [Robson * , p.137.] With Moon: Popular, broad-minded, interested in philosophy, science and metaphysics, liable to change religious opinions, influential friends, favorable for business and domestic matters, active in local affairs, great power, honor and wealth but benefits may not prove lasting, danger of violence, sickness, drowning or assassination. If in 1st or 10th houses, honor and preferment but many dangers and calamities. Liable to blindness or eye injuries especially if at the same time Mars or Saturn be with Regulus.

If Saturn be with Aldebaran, danger of a violent death probably by hanging; but if Mars be with Aldebaran death by a stab, blow or fall especially if in angles. If a malefic be with Aldebaran in the 4th, 7th, 11th or 12th houses, death by a sudden sword-thrust, stab or fall (operations can be substituted for stabs nowadays). [Robson * , p.137.] With Mercury: Suspicious, wrongfully accuses friends, unpopular, uses ecclesiastic influence in business, money obtained slowly and with much difficulty, danger of sickness to the native and his family, and death of a relative at home or away. [Robson * , p.138.] With Venus: Insincere, dishonest, energetic and able but selfish. [Robson * , p.138.] With Mars: Detrimental habits powerfully affecting the life, quarrels with friends and relatives, fairly favorable for gain. If at the same time the Moon is with Aldebaran, danger of death by sword or hanging.

[Robson * , p.138.] With Jupiter: Great religious zeal real or pretended, ecclesiastical preferment, tendency to hypocrisy, benefits through relatives. [Robson * , p.138.] With Saturn: Materialistic, dishonest through circumstances created by environment, religious hypocrisy, many disappointments, loss through quarrels and legal affairs, trouble through enemies, many failures, hampered by relatives, unfavorable for domestic matters, much sickness to and sorrow from children. If at the same time the Moon is with Aldebaran, danger of death by sword or hanging. [Robson * , p.138.] With Uranus: Abnormal and extreme ideas, hypocritical, lies and exaggerates, extremely socialistic, incites to riot, lawlessness and anarchism and in danger of imprisonment on this account, occasional poverty, disharmony with relatives, more than one marriage, unfavorable for children, violent death.

[Robson * , p.138.] With Neptune: Shrewd, cunning, unbalanced and mentally unsound, secretive but apparently candid, dishonest, tendency to theft, economical, untruthful, strange religious ideas, evil environment, gain through hard work, sudden and unexpected death brought about by treachery or through enemies who will escape retribution. [Robson * , p.138.] References:

Question: Antares is the largest star in which constellation?
Answer: Scorpio